TC electronic SDN BHD P2 User Manual

P2

LEVEL PILOT

AADDMMIINNIISSTTRRAATTOORR’’SS MMAANNUUAALL

a

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

1 Read these instructions.
2 Keep these instructions.
3 Heed all warnings.
4 Follow all instructions.
5 Do not use this apparatus near water.
6 Clean only with dry cloth.
7 Do not block any ventilation openings. Install

in accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions.

8 Do not install near any heat sources such

as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other
apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce
heat.

9 Do not defeat the safety purpose of the

polarized or grounding-type plug. A
polarized plug has two blades with one
wider than the other. A grounding type plug
has two blades and a third grounding prong.
The wide blade or the third prong are provided
for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit
into your outlet, consult an electrician for
replacement of the obsolete outlet.

10 Protect the power cord from being walked

on or pinched particularly at plugs,
convenience receptacles, and the point
where they exit from the apparatus.

11 Only use attachments/accessories specified

by the manufacturer.

12 Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms

or when unused for long periods of time.

Use only with the cart, stand, tripod,
bracket, or table specified by the
manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus.

When a cart is used, use caution when
moving the cart/apparatus combination to
avoid injury from tip-over.

13 Refer all servicing to qualified service

personnel. Servicing is required when the
apparatus has been damaged in any way,
such as power-supply cord or plug is
damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects
have fallen into the apparatus, the
apparatus has been exposed to rain or
moisture, does not operate normally, or has
been dropped.

• This equipment should be installed near the
socket outlet and disconnection of the device
should be easily accessible.

• To completely disconnect from AC mains,
disconnect the power supply cord from the AC
receptable.

• The mains plug of the power supply shall
remain readily operable.

• Do not install in a confined space.

• Do not open the unit - risk of electric shock
inside.

Caution:

You are cautioned that any change or
modifications not expressly approved in this
manual could void your authority to operate this
equipment.

Service

• There are no user-serviceable parts inside.

• All service must be performed by qualified
personnel.

Warning!

• To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock,
do not expose this equipment to dripping or
splashing and ensure that no objects filled
with liquids, such as vases, are placed on the
equipment.

• This apparatus must be earthed.

• Use a three wire grounding type line cord
like the one supplied with the product.

• Be advised that different operating voltages
require the use of different types of line
cord and attachment plugs.

• Check the voltage in your area and use the
correct type. See table below:

Voltage Line plug according to standard

110-125V UL817 and CSA C22.2 no 42.

220-230V CEE 7 page VII, SR section

107-2-D1/IEC 83 page C4.

240V BS 1363 of 1984.

Specification for 13A fused
plugs and switched and
unswitched socket outlets.

The lightning flash with an arrowhead
symbol within an equilateral triangle, is
intended to alert the user to the

presence of uninsulated "dangerous volt­age" within the product's enclosure that may be of
sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of
electric shock to persons.

The exclamation point within an
equilateral triangle is intended to alert
the user to the presence of important

operating and maintenance (servicing)
instructions in the literature accompanying the
product.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Certificate Of Conformity

TC Electronic A/S, Sindalsvej 34, 8240
Risskov, Denmark, hereby declares on own
responsibility that following products:

P2 - Level Pilot

- that is covered by this certificate and
marked with CE-label conforms with
following standards:

EN 60065 Safety requirements for mains
(IEC 60065) operated electronic and

related apparatus for household
and similar general use

EN 55103-1 Product family standard for

audio,video, audio-visual and
entertainment lighting control
apparatus for professional
use. Part 1: Emission.

EN 55103-2 Product family standard for

audio, video, audio-visual and
entertainment lighting control
apparatus for professional
use. Part 2: Immunity.

With reference to regulations in following
directives:
73/23/EEC, 89/336/EEC

October 2002

Mads Peter Lübeck

Chief Executive Officer

EMC / EMI.

This equipment has been tested and found to
comply with the limits for a Class B Digital
device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC rules.
These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful
interference in residential installations. This
equipment generates, uses and can radiate
radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions, may
cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning
the equipment off and on. The user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by
one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the
equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a
circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced
radio/TV technician for help.

For the customers in Canada:

This Class B digital apparatus complies with
Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est
conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

b

3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

Important Safety Instructions &

Certificate of conformity . . . . . . . . . .a-b

Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Quick Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Front Panel Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Rear Panel Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Signal Flow Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Typical P2 Setups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Front Panel Operation

- for the Daily User . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Installation of the TC Icon PC Editor .13

BASIC OPERATION

The TC Icon PC Editor

Introduction and basic operation of

The TC Icon Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Renaming Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Preset Structure and handling:

Recall/Store/ Delete . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Cloning P2’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

System I/O Page

Clock Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Analog Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Digital Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

GPI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

System Front Page/
Front panel Configuration

Wizard Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Lock Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Lock Activation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Bypass Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Lock Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Yellow LED Threshold . . . . . . . . . . . .22

System Net Page

Network Identifier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

ICON Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Engine I/O Page

Input & Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

TC Electronic, Sindalsvej 34, DK-8240 Risskov – [e-mail] Rev 1.7 – SW – V 1.50English Version

Prod. No: 606106015

ALGORITHM

Main Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Loudness Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

EQ Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

5-Band Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Limiter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

APPENDIX

Reset menu & Software Load . . . . . .33

Loading Preset Banks . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . .35

Selftest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

INTRODUCTION

Welcome

The P2 is a “set and forget” Loudness pilot and Limiter for Post production and Broadcast. It is
designed especially for fixed installations where a consistent loudness and spectral balance is
required but excels also in peak limiting functions.
Factory loaded with a broad selection of World Standard Presets the P2 can be used right out of the
box. However, via the TC Icon PC Editor, suitable presets can be built by the Administrator and
various lock functions can be applied to ensure no unintended change of settings by the daily User.
Once setup and loaded with presets any person doing video editing, audio production, audio mixing
or tape-copying. Simply pick the predefined optimal preset and avoid having to think about audio
levels again.

4

Features

• Dual mono, Stereo and Wide Stereo
processing

• ALC - Automatic Loudness Control

• Filters and Parameteric EQ

• Live updatable Delay 0-1000 ms

• 5-Band Compression

• Brickwall Limiter

• 24 bit resolution Analog and Digital I/O

• 48 bit internal processing

• Sample Rate Conversion selectable
on/off

• All features mentioned available
simultaneously

Concept

• Audio editing for video

• Audio or tape copying

• Presets can be picked by non
technical personnel with full
confidence in output quality.

• Presets can be created by Audio
Expert via TC Icon Software Editor.

• Easy cloning of multiple P2’s via
standard PCMCIA card.

About this manual

The latest manual revision can always be downloaded via www.tcelectronic.com
If you have questions unanswered by this manual you may also try looking at our TC Support
Interactive site. This site is also accessed via www.tcelectronic.com

Daily User

Requirements

The P2 is correctly connected and loaded with
relevant Front Presets by the Administrator and
powered on.

Lock

The Administrator can decide to activate
different levels of Lock functions. These may
include lock of front panel key operation and/or
lock of the Wizard and Bypass functions.
By the choice of the Administrator the selected
Lock/Unlock function can be
activated/deactivated either by:

- pressing LOCK followed by a four digit code
specified by the Administrator or,

- holding lock for approx 2.5 seconds.

Selecting Presets

Press relevant preset key (1-8) to load preset.
Presets can be loaded only if these keys are
unlocked, (see above).
Presets are “total recall” presets. They set up
all levels, I/O settings and algorithm parameters.
Presets are defined by the experts user to
perfectly match the downstream signal
destination.

Wizard

The Wizard can be activated only if the Wizard
functions are unlocked. (see “Lock” section
above).
Once the Wizard is activated the P2 Level pilot
examines the program material and
automatically suggests optimal compression
settings for highest output. The Wizard can be
set by the Administrator to calculate three
levels of compression; Low, Medium and High.

Administrator

More details on page 18-21 - and setup page
10 for reference.

Requirements

One P2 Level Pilot, a Pentium computer with
Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, ME or XP installed.

Installation of TC Icon Editor Software

Enter CD, open directory, run Setup and follow
instructions.

Connecting P2

• Connect a PC COM port to the P2 RS232 In.
If possible, notice which computer COM port

you have connected to.

• Programming the P2 does not necessarily
require audio to be connected. However, if
audio connections are

needed connect audio

according to Setup illustrations on page 10.

Getting started with the TC Icon Editor

• Power up the P2 and start the TC Icon
software on your computer.

• Go to the Setup/Devices/Port page to select
which COM(1-4) port you you have
connected to. (per default the Editor will look
at COM ports (1-4) automatically.

• Go to the Setup/Devices/Select page. Press
DETECT and assign the detected P2 to one
of the 8 device locations in the right side of
the display. Simply press any of the 8 keys.

• Press the ICON key in the upper left corner
to go the pages from where all local P2
parameters are controlled.
Library Page:

handles presets
System Page: handles Clock, Level trims,
Lock functions and the variable yellow LED
Threshold.
Engine:

All algorithm parameters.

Cloning P2’s using a PCMCIA card

This is the function used by the Administrator to
clone multiple P2 using a PCMCIA card.

• Load appropriate presets into Front Panel
Bank of the P2 you wish to clone.

• Insert an unprotected PCMCIA card into the
P2 Card slot. (protection key is located on
the edge of the card).

• Go to the System/Card page.

• Decide whether you wish to exclude System
Preset that holds overall Clock settings,
Analog Trim levels, Dither, Status Bit settings
and settings for GPI. To exclude System
Preset activate the “Exclude System Preset”
key.
Then press CREATE CLONE CARD.

• Remove card and go to the target P2 unit.

• Insert the card and power up using the front
panel POWER key while holding the LOCK
key pressed.

• Press the LOCK key again. In this mode the
LOCK key operates as “CONFIRM”.
BYPASS can be used to abort operation.

• The target P2 is now loaded with the
information present on the card.

5

QUICK START

6

FRONT PANEL OVERVIEW

POWER On/Off

Switches power On/Off.
To completely disconnect from
mains the Rear panel POWER
switch must be used.

PCMCIA slot

For software updates and
preset backups.

ERROR LED

Indicates various error states.

48/44.1/32 kHz LEDs

Indicates current Sample Rate.

ANALOG IN/DIGITAL IN

Indicates currently selected
Input type.

DUAL MONO LED

Indicates that the P2 is
operating in Dual mono mode.

EDITED LED

Indicates that the currently
recalled preset has been
edited but not stored.

This LED will also be lit
when the Wizard has
been activated.

GAIN meter

Indicates the max gain applied
on either channels. The
indication is “wideband” type.

OPTIMIZE meters

Indicates the gain optimization
on each of the 5 bands.

LIMIT meter

Indicates the max limitation
performed on either channels.

INPUT/OUTPUT meters

• The Input meters indicate
the level of the Input signal
after the In Gain control.
(set via the TC Icon control
interface).

• The Output meters indicate
the current Output level.

• Threshold value for meter
color change:
For both Input/Output
meters: Below -20dB the
meter LEDs are green.
From -20dB to 0dB LED
color can be green or
yellow.
The value for this color
change is set via the TC
Icon Editor on the System
Front page.

7

FRONT PANEL OVERVIEW

PRESET keys 1-8

Presets can be recalled from
these keys. Press preset keys
1-8 to instantly recall Front
presets. This type of presets
include settings of all gain and
processing parameters.
Keys can be locked by the
Administrator.

Below each key you can write
preset names. Use the
supplied lithographic crayon or
similar.

WIZARD key

Using the Wizard function the
P2 listens to a section of the
program material; analyzes
and thereafter automatically
adjusts settings using the ALC
to achieve optimal level thus
keeping dynamics intact.

Via the TC Icon Editor three
Wizard compression modes
can be set: Light, Normal or
Heavy. The Wizard mode is
set by the Administrator.
It is NOT possible to change
Wizard mode via the P2
frontpanel.

When the Wizard is activated
the Edited LED will be lit.

To prevent unintended use of
the Wizard the WIZARD key
can also be locked. All lock
functions are set via the TC
Icon PC Editor. When Wizard
is locked it is inoperable from
the front panel controls.

LOCK key

The LOCK key is used to
lock/unlock various functions.
This is set up via the TC Icon
Editor.

Lock

Activation
Via the TC Icon Editor two
Lock activation modes can be
selected.
In one mode two separate four
digit codes can be set to
unlock and lock. The code is
set up via the TC Icon PC
Editor.
With the other lock mode
selected lock/unlock can be
performed simply by holding
the LOCK key pressed for 2.5
seconds.

Lock Modes:
Disable:
Wizard is disabled and no front
panel keys are locked.

Lock W

izard:
Wizard is disabled but Preset
recall keys are active.

Lock Recall:
Preset recall is disabled but
Wizard function is active.

Lock Panel

:

No front panel controls are
active until LOCK key is
pressed followed by the four
digit code.

BYPASS key

Press to bypass all processing.
Input audio signal will be
passed unprocessed to the P2
Outputs.

8

REAR PANEL

Balanced
Analog
Inputs
XLR

AES/EBU
Input/
Output

Balanced
Analog
Outputs
XLR

S/PDIF
Input/
Output

Power Input
100 - 240V

Power Switch

XLR to XLR

XLR to Jack
Stereo

GPI INRS 232

9 pin Sub D

BNC
Sync In

RS232 : For connecting to a PC. Use a standard 9 pin Sub D cable. (Supplied)

GPI In : Use standard stereo 1/4” jack. (not supplied)
BNC : Use standard shielded 75 Ohm Coax cable with BNC connectors. (not supplied)

9

SIGNAL FLOW

10

TYPICAL SETUPS

Connecting and Setting up the P2

In use - no TC Icon Editor/PC connection
necessary.

• Connect your audio source material to P2
Inputs. Options are balanced Analog, digital
AES or S/PDIF.

• Connect Outputs to relevant media.

• Select preset via the eight front panel
PRESET keys.

Note that; Input type, Sync settings, and
Sample Rate Conversion settings are set on
preset level via the TC Icon PC Editor on the
Engine I/O page.

Administrators Setup for preset programming
plus Wizard and Lock definition using the
TC Icon PC Editor.

• Connect a free RS232 serial COM port on
the computer to the RS232 connection on
the rear of P2.

• Start the TC Icon PC Editor and select
appropriate COM port.
(Read TC Icon installation procedure section)

Make audio connections if these are necessary
for programming.

P2 Card slot. (not supplied)*

• Go to the System/Card page.

• Decide whether you wish to exclude System
Preset 1 that holds overall Clock settings,
Analog Trim levels, Dither, Status Bit settings
and settings for GPI. To exclude System
Preset activate the “Exclude System Preset”
key.
Then press CREATE CLONE CARD.

• Remove card and go to the target P2 unit.

• Power off target P2 unit.

• Insert the card and power up using the front
panel POWER key while holding the LOCK
key pressed.

• Press the LOCK key again. In this mode the
LOCK key operates as “CONFIRM”.
BYPASS can be used to abort operation.

The Front bank is now copied to the “target P2”
and the 8 presets can be loaded using preset
keys 1-8 depending on the defined lock mode.

* PCMCIA cards can be acquired through any

TC Electronic dealer

Cloning P2’s using a standard PCMCIA card

Once the Administrator have designed and
setup presets for various applications using the
TC Icon PC Editor, other P2’s in the house may
be easily cloned using a standard PCMCIA
card.
In other words; it is NOT

necessary to hook up

every single P2 to a computer to set these up.

• Load appropriate presets into U1 Front Panel
Bank of the P2 you wish to clone.

• Insert an unprotected PCMCIA card into the

11

BASICS - FRONT PANEL

Two levels of P2 operation

First of all the “every-day-use” where the less
experienced user basically selects predefined
presets and occasionally the Wizard that
intelligently analyze program material and
suggests compression settings for that
particular material.
Secondly the “Administrators level” accessed
only via the TC Icon Software Editor on PC.
This is where Presets, I/O, Wizard, Lock and
System settings are setup.

Recall

• Press one of the eight keys to recall a preset.

Front Panel Preset

s:
The 8 Front Panel presets can be instantly
recalled via the front panel preset keys.
Recalling presets via the eight front-panel keys
are tot

al recalls. Both system parameters and

preset settings are recalled.

These presets are created by the Administrator
via the TC Icon Editor and are not edited in
everyday use.

Wizard

A function used to optimize level based on an
examination of a section of material.

• Play programming material containing both

high and low-level passages.

• Press WIZARD to start the Wizard.

• Press again after a period of time; 5-10

seconds.

• The Wizard has now suggested optimal

settings for your specific program material.

Note that; the Wizard can be locked by
the Administrator via the TC Icon Editor.

Lock

The Administrator can setup various lock
functions/modes for the P2 via the System/
Front page in the TC Icon PC Editor. Setting up
via the TC Icon Editor is explained later in the
manual. This section merely lists the options.
The Administrator sets up both how the Lock
function can be activated/deactivated from the
front panel, but also which functions that are
locked once Lock is activated.

Lock Activation

Two modes are available for Lock
activation/deactivation. These modes are
defined and setup by the Administrator via the
TC Icon PC Editor.

Hold mode:

The Lock mode can be activated/
deactivated by pressing and holding the LOCK
key for approx. 2.5 seconds.

Code mode:
The Lock mode can be activated by pressing
the LOCK key for two seconds.
To unlock; the LOCK key must be pressed
followed by entering a four digit code (within 5
seconds) using the eight front panel preset
keys (1-8).
Separate codes for lock and unlock can be
defined by the Administrator.

Lock Define

One of four Lock definitions can be selected via
the editor by the Administrator.

Disable:
No lock function is available.

Lock W

izard:
Wizard function is disabled and cannot be
activated via the front panel WIZARD key.